MG ALBA has expressed its delight at the news that several of BBC ALBA’s programmes have been short-listed for awards at the Celtic Media Festival 2010.

The 31st Celtic Media Festival, which this year takes place in Newry, Northern Ireland, from 21 – 23 April, will see the Celtic broadcasting and media world come together to celebrate the languages and cultures of the Celtic countries on screen and in broadcasting.

Over 400 nominations were received for the awards across 19 categories with BBC ALBA achieving eight programme nominations in several different award categories.

Shortlisted BBC ALBA programmes include:

- Tormod: A Life, a hard-hitting documentary about the life and times of Norman Maclean (produced by Robbie Fraser, Pure Magic Films and Karen Smyth of La Belle Allée Productions) nominated in the Best Arts category

- Balaich Eileen (Eileen’s Boys): factual documentary highlighting the story of well-known actress Eileen MacCallum and her struggle to improve the lives of her two grandchildren as they battle Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (produced by Tony Kearney of Solus Productions) nominated in the Best Factual Single category

- An Iolaire: moving documentary which tells the story of the UK’s worst peacetime maritime disaster which claimed the lives of 201 soldiers (produced by BBC Gàidhlig) also nominated in the Best Factual Single category

- Lean gu Dlùth (Follow Faithfully): documentary looking at the history of shinty through the eyes of shinty expert Hugh Dan MacLennan and his links to the game (produced by BBC Gàidhlig) nominated in the Sport category

- Rapal TBL: BBC ALBA's popular Gaelic music show (produced by BBC Gàidhlig) nominated in the Young People category

- Grinn: fashion make-over show (produced by Bees Nees) nominated in the Best Factual Entertainment category

- Roghainn a’ Bhàis (The Right to Die?): drama documentary about notorious 'Moors Murderer', Ian Brady, (produced by STV Productions) nominated in the Best Factual Series

- Cùl nan Dorsan: comedy (produced by BBC Gàidhlig) which is nominated in the Best Factual Entertainment category

MG ALBA also congratulates BBC Radio nan Gaidheal which, in addition to being nominated in the Radio Station of the Year category, has received a nomination for Logarbaigh, in the Best Radio Documentary category, while popular presenter John Carmichael has been nominated in the Radio Presenter/Personality category where the competition includes Fred MacAualy of BBC Scotland.

Donald Campbell, Chief Executive of MG ALBA, said: “We are absolutely delighted with the success of BBC ALBA since coming on air in September 2008. Viewers are hugely appreciative of the quality and diversity of our programming and the fact that eight BBC ALBA programmes have been nominated at the Celtic Media Festival 2010 is due recognition for the efforts of the BBC/MG ALBA partnership and the highly dedicated Gaelic production community who week in week out deliver the programmes that appeal so strongly to both Gaelic and the Scotland-wide audiences. We congratulate all those who have been shortlisted and look forward with anticipation to the awards event in Newry in April.”

Marion MacKinnon, Managing Editor of BBC Gàidhlig, said: “We are really proud to again be part of the Celtic Media Festival as it marks its thirty-first anniversary and it is fantastic to have four programmes from BBC Gàidhlig shortlisted. We are delighted that BBC Radio nan Gaidheal is once again on the shortlist for Radio Station of the Year along with our presenter, John Carmichael, being up for the Radio Presenter/Personality award, as well as Logarbaigh in the running for Best Radio Documentary.”